2018_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election

2018 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election

2018 Christian Democratic Union of Germany leadership election

Election in Germany

The 2018 Christian Democratic Union leadership election took place during the party's 31st Congress in Hamburg at the Messehallen convention center on 7–8 December following Angela Merkel's decision in October 2018 not to stand for party leader at the 2018 party conference following the party's bad performance[1] in the 2018 Hessian state election and the party's consistently low numbers in national polls.[2]

Quick Facts 999 delegates in the 31st CDU National Congress 500 delegates votes needed to win, Candidate ...

In the subsequent party executive meeting on 29 October 2018, both the CDU's General Secretary Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and the Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn announced their candidacy in the election. This was followed by Merkel's former arch-rival Friedrich Merz, who announced his bid and his return to politics on 30 October 2018.[3][4] Spahn was eliminated after the first round, and Kramp-Karrenbauer subsequently won close-run second round of voting by 18 votes.[5]

Candidates

Declared

To be able to run as candidate for CDU leader, a person needs to be endorsed by a subdivision of the party (either the federal executive board or a state, district or local association) or the proposal by a delegate during the party convention.

Running

The following people ran in the leadership election, having fulfilled the criteria to become a candidate in the convention.

  • Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer — General Secretary of the CDU (2018–today), Minister-President of Saarland (2011–2018), Leader of the CDU Saar (2011–2018), Minister for Family and Social Affairs in Saarland (2009–2011), Minister for Education in Saarland (2007–2009), Minister for the Interior in Saarland (2000–2007), Member of Landtag of Saarland (1999–2018), Member of Bundestag (1998).[6][4] Kramp-Karrenbauer was endorsed by the Saarland state association of the CDU.
  • Friedrich Merz — Leader of the Opposition and Parliamentary Leader of the CDU (2000–2002), Member of Bundestag (1994–2009), Member of the European Parliament (1989–1994).[6][4] Merz was endorsed by the local associations of Fulda and of Hochsauerland.
  • Jens Spahn — Minister for Health (2018–today), Parliamentary Secretary of State for Finance (2015–2018), Member of Bundestag (2002–present).[6][4] Spahn was endorsed by the local association of Borken.

Announced

The following CDU politicians announced their intention to run for CDU leadership, but did not receive an endorsement by either a subdivision or a delegate.

  • Jan-Philipp Knoop – commissioner for Social-Media in Tempelhof-Schöneberg[7][8][9]
  • Detlef Felix Hartmann – Candidate for the Leadership of the CDU Hamburg[9]
  • Jörg Paulusch – City councillor of Hirschbach [de][9]
  • Friedhelm Kölsch – Lord mayor candidate in Essen[9]
  • Andreas Ritzenhoff[10][8]
  • Norbert Stegner[9]
  • Christian Fleisinger[9]
  • Sabine Herrenbruch[9]

Withdrew

The following politicians intended to run for the office, but withdrew their candidacy.

  • Matthias Herdegen [de][11] — Member of the Scientific Advisory Council on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Member of the Sixth Advisory Council of the Federal Academy for Security Policy[12][8]
  • Angela Merkel — Chancellor (2005–today), Leader of the Opposition (2002–2005), CDU Leader (2000–today), General Secretary of the CDU (1998–2000), Federal Minister for Environment (1994–1998), Federal Minister for Youth and Women (1991–1994), Member of Bundestag (1990–today)

Declined

  • Daniel Günther — Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein (2017–today), Leader of the CDU Schleswig-Holstein (2016–today), Member of Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein (2009–today)[4][13]
  • Armin Laschet — Minister-President of North Rhine-Westfalia (2017–today), Deputy Leader of the CDU (2012–today), Leader of the CDU North Rhine-Westfalia (2012–today), Opposition Leader in North Rhine-Westfalia (2010–2017), Member of Landtag of North Rhine-Westfalia (2010–today), Minister for Social Affairs in North-Rhine Westfalia (2005–2010), Member of European Parliament (1999–2005), Member of Bundestag (1994–1999)[4][14]
  • Ursula von der Leyen — Minister for Defence (2013–today), Deputy Leader of the CDU (2009–today), Minister for Social Affairs (2009–2013), Member of Bundestag (2009–today), Minister for Family (2005–2009), Minister for Social Affairs in Lower Saxony (2003–2005), Member of Landtag of Lower Saxony (2003–2005)[4]
  • Julia Klöckner — Minister of Food and Agriculture (2018–today), candidate for Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate in 2016 and 2011, Deputy Leader of the CDU (2012–today), Opposition Leader in Rhineland-Palatinate (2011–2018), Member of Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate (2011–2018), Leader of the CDU Rhineland-Palatinate (2010–today), Member of Bundestag (2002–2011)[15]
  • Wolfgang Schäuble — President of Bundestag (2017–today), Minister for Finances (2009–2017), Minister of the Interior (2005–2009, 1989–1991), Leader of the CDU (1998–2000), Parliamentary Leader of the CDU (1991–2000), Chief of the Chancellery (1984–1989), Member of Bundestag (1972–today)[4][16]

Endorsements

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
Organizations and platforms
  • CDU Saar [de], CDU state affiliate in Saarland[17]
  • Frauen-Union [de; fr], women's wing of the CDU[18]
  • Senioren-Union [de], seniors wing of the CDU[19]
  • Christlich-Demokratische Arbeitnehmerschaft, self-designation is "CDU social committee"[20]
  • Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsvereinigung [de] Saarlands, entrepreneur, self-employment and freelancer wing of the CDU Saar[21]
  • Junge Union Saar, youth wing of the CDU Saar[21]
  • Union der Mitte, platform of centrist CDU politicians[22]
Individuals
  • Tobias Hans, Minister-President of Saarland[23]
  • Nadine Schön, Member of Bundestag and Deputy Parliamentary Leader[24]
  • Peter Weiß, Member of Bundestag[25]
  • Annette Widmann-Mauz, Member of Bundestag, Leader of the Frauen Union and Parliamentary Secretary for Migration[25]
  • Bernhard Vogel, former Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia and former President of the Bundesrat of Germany[26]
  • Katja Rathje-Hoffmann [de], Member of the Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein and state chairman of the Frauen-Union[27]
  • Kurt Biedenkopf, former Minister President of Saxony and former President of the Bundesrat[28]
  • Axel Müller, Member of Bundestag[29]
  • Thomas Heilmann, former Senator for Justice, consumer protection and anti-discrimination in Berlin and Member of Bundestag[30]
  • Jutta Schmitt-Lang [de], Member of Landtag of Saarland
  • Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, President of the Bundesrat of Germany and Leader of the CDU Schleswig-Holstein[31]
  • Thomas de Maizière, former Minister of the Interior and former Minister for Defense, Member of Bundestag[32]
  • Annette Schavan, former Minister of Education and Research and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Baden-Württemberg[20]
  • Christian Haase, Member of the Bundestag and leader of the Kommunalpolitische Vereinigung der CDU und CSU Deutschlands [de], the communal wing of the CDU[20]
  • Karl-Josef Laumann, Member of the Bundestag, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs for North Rhine-Westphalia, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs for North Rhine-Westphalia, Vice Chairman of CDU North Rhine-Westphalia and leader of the CDA[33]
  • Norbert Blüm, former Federal Minister for Social Affairs and Labour and former member of the Bundestag[34]
  • Peter Altmaier, Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Member of the Bundestag, former Parliamentary Secretary of State for the Interior, former Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, former Minister of Finance and former Head of the Chancellery[35]
  • Peter Tauber, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Defence, former Secretary General of the Christian Democratic Union and Member of the Bundestag[36]
  • Herbert Reul, former Member of the European Parliament and State Minister for Internal Affairs[37]
  • Ingo Senftleben, leader of CDU in Brandenburg[38]
  • Hermann Gröhe, Member of the Bundestag, former Minister of State at the Federal Chancellery and former Federal Minister of Health[39]
  • Annette Bonin, leader of the Frauen Union of Mönchengladbach[40]
Friedrich Merz
Organizations and platforms
Individuals
Jens Spahn
Organizations and platforms
Individuals
  • Alexander Vogt, chairman of the Lesben und Schwule in der Union [de; pt; ru][61][62]
  • Philipp Amthor, Member of the Bundestag[59]
  • Günter Krings, former Parliamentary State Secretary at the Interior Federal Minister, former Deputy Chairman of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group for the areas of law, interior, sports and volunteer work, displaced persons, refugees and Aussiedler and Chairman of the CDU NRW regional group in the German Bundestag and leader of the Bundesarbeitskreis Christlich-Demokratischer Juristen [de], the jurist wing of the CDU.[59]

Opinion polling

More information Publication date, Poll source ...
Among Delegates
More information Publication date, Poll source ...
Only Union/CDU Voters
More information Publication date, Poll source ...

Results

More information Candidate, First Round ...
More information First Round ...
More information Second Round ...

References

  1. [1]
    Blond, Josie Le (2018-10-29). "Merkel suffers another election setback in key German state of Hesse". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  2. [2]
    "Sonntagsfrage – Forsa (Wahlumfragen zur Bundestagswahl)". Wahlrecht.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  3. [3]
    Henley, Jon (2018-10-30). "Angela Merkel exit plan sparks succession battle in party ranks". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  4. [4]
    Wer löst Merkel ab?, n-tv, 29 Oct 2018
  5. [5]
    Connolly, Kate (7 December 2018). "Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer elected Merkel's successor as CDU leader". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  6. [6]
    Zwei Konservative, eine Merkel-Treue, ZEIT, 219 Oct 2018
  7. [7]
    Jan-Philipp Knoop will für den CDU-Bundesvorsitz kandidieren. In: berliner-woche.de (1. Oktober 2018).
  8. [8]
    "Diese 6 Kandidaten bewerben sich um den CDU-Vorsitz". Zm-online.de. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  9. [9]
    "Merkel: Frauenanteil im Bundestag nicht zufriedenstellend". Merkur.de. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  10. [10]
    Hessischer Unternehmer Ritzenhoff will gegen Merkel antreten. In: welt.de (3. Oktober 2018).
  11. [11]
    "Merz und Kramp-Karrenbauer nehmen erste Hürde - ein Konkurrent zieht sich schon zurück". Merkur.de. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  12. [12]
    „Die CDU sehnt sich nach einer programmatischen Erneuerung“.[permanent dead link] In: deutschlandfunk.de (8. Oktober 2018).
  13. [13]
    "Kieler Regierungschef Günther will nicht für CDU-Vorsitz kandidieren". Onvista.de. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  14. [14]
    Nachrichten, n-tv. "Laschet will vorerst nicht CDU-Chef sein". N-tv.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  15. [15]
    Klöckner will nicht Merkel-Nachfolgerin werden Archived 2018-11-17 at the Wayback Machine, SWR, 30 Oct 2018
  16. [16]
    "Merkel-Nachfolge: Schäuble beförderte Merz' Kandidatur für CDU-Vorsitz". Faz.net. Retrieved 7 December 2018 – via www.faz.net.
  17. [17]
    "Volle Unterstützung für Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer". CDU Saar. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  18. [18]
    "Frauen Union der CDU Deutschlands - Widmann-Mauz: "Angela Merkel ist eine Ikone für Frauen weltweit – Danke für 18 Jahre Chefin der CDU!"". Frauenunion.de. Archived from the original on 2018-11-01. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  19. [19]
    tagesschau.de. "Merkel-Nachfolge: Wer in der CDU ist für wen?". Tagesschau.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  20. [20]
    "Kampf um den CDU-Vorsitz: So groß sind die Lager der Unterstützer für Merz, Spahn und Kramp-Karrenbauer". Handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  21. [21]
    Germany, hr-inforadio de, Frankfurt (1 November 2018). "Positionierung der CDU-Vereinigungen im Kandidaten-Rennen". Hr-inforadio.de. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. [22]
    "Gemeinsam für #AKK. #ZuneuerStärke mit @_A_K_K_ #CDUVorsitz @CDU @groehe". Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  23. [23]
    [dead link]
  24. [24]
    "Nadine Schön". Facebook.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  25. [25]
    "CDU-Vorsitz: Merz, Kramp-Karrenbauer, Spahn, Laschet – Wettlauf um die Merkel-Nachfolge". Handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  26. [26]
    "Merkel-Nachfolge - Merz und Spahn eröffnen Rennen um CDU-Parteivorsitz". Deutschlandfunk.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  27. [27]
    "Merz spaltet die Nord-CDU". KN - Kieler Nachrichten. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  28. [28]
    "Interview zum CDU-Vorsitz: Biedenkopf rät zur Wahl von Kramp-Karrenbauer und kritisiert Merz und Spahn".
  29. [29]
    "Unterstützung für Merz und Kritik an Seehofer: So reagiert die Südwest-CDU auf Merkels Rückzug". Schwäbische. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  30. [30]
    WELT (4 November 2018). "Wahl-Favorit von CDU-Politiker: "Tut mir leid für Spahn, aber ich sehe leider keine Chance mehr für ihn"". Die Welt. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  31. [31]
    "Merkel-Nachfolge: Erste CDU-Promis stellen sich hinter Friedrich Merz". Bild.de. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  32. [32]
    "Umfrage unter CDU-Delegierten: Merz vorne - Spahn abgeschlagen". FinanzNachrichten.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  33. [33]
    Birnbaum, Robert (5 December 2018). "Die CDU-Lager sortieren sich". Der Tagesspiegel Online. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  34. [34]
    WELT (5 December 2018). "CDU: Blüm attackiert einen der Kandidaten für den Vorsitz – "Held nach Feierabend"". Die Welt. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  35. [35]
    "Wettbewerb um Merkel-Nachfolge vor ..." Rtl.de. Archived from the original on 6 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  36. [36]
    "Ex-CDU-Generalsekretär: "Habe mich für Kramp-Karrenbauer entschieden"". KN - Kieler Nachrichten. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  37. [37]
    "Kampf um CDU-Vorsitz: Kramp-Karrenbauer ruft zu Geschlossenheit auf". Faz.net. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  38. [38]
    "Parteitag der CDU: Wer übernimmt Merkels Erbe?". Tagesschau.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  39. [39]
    "Hermann Gröhe". facebook.com. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  40. [40]
    "Gemischte Gefühle bei Gladbacher CDU". p-online.de. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  41. [41]
    "CDU-Wirtschaftsrat stellt sich hinter Kandidatur von Merz". FinanzNachrichten.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  42. [42]
    "Junge Union Rhein-Neckar unterstützt Merz - Leimen-Lokal - Leimen-Lokal". Leimenblog.de. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  43. [43]
    Germany, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Stuttgart. "CDU-Bundesvorsitz: Junge Union im Land unterstützt Merz". Stuttgarter-nachrichten.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. [44]
    "Hessische JU-Mitglieder wollen Merz als CDU-Vorsitzenden". Op-online.de. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  45. [45]
    Bock, Michael; Magdeburg, Volksstimme. "Rockenwind fur Merz aus Sachsen-Anhalts CDU". Volksstimme.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  46. [46]
    WELT (10 November 2018). "Merz kein "Anti-Merkel" - Kramp-Karrenbauer warnt SPD". Die Welt. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  47. [47]
    "Merz offiziell als Kandidat für CDU-Vorsitz vorgeschlagen". T-online.de. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  48. [48]
    "CDU-Vorsitz: Kandidaten präsentieren sich MIT-Bundesvorstand". Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsvereinigung der CDU/CSU. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  49. [49]
    Saul, Interview von Philipp (19 November 2018). ""Spahn versucht vergeblich, jung und dynamisch zu sein"". Sueddeutsche.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  50. [50]
    "RCDS Nordrhein-Westfalen". Facebook.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  51. [51]
    Germany, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Stuttgart. "CDU in Baden-Württemberg: Unterstützer von Friedrich Merz formieren sich". Stuttgarter-nachrichten.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  52. [52]
    "Merkels Nachfolge: Die CDU steht unter Druck". Nordbayern.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  53. [53]
    "Laschet und Brinkhaus warnen vor Kurswechsel unter neuer CDU-Führung". Der Tagesspiegel Online. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  54. [54]
    "Merkel-Nachfolge: So lief Woche eins im Rennen um die CDU-Spitze". Bild.de. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  55. [55]
    Neumann, Philipp (3 November 2018). "Friedrich Merz befindet sich im Rat der alten Männer". Waz.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  56. [56]
    "Ex-CDU-Generalsekretär Rühe - "Merz eröffnet der CDU wesentlich bessere Wahlchancen"". Deutschlandfunk. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  57. [57]
    "Jürgen Diener MIT Kreis Fulda: Bewerbung von Friedrich Merz richtig". Fuldainfo.de. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  58. [58]
    Drees, Stefan (3 November 2018). "Tigges und Meininghaus sehen in Merz die beste Wahl". Ikz-online.de. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  59. [59]
    Nachrichten, n-tv. "+++ 21:59 Delegierte unterstützen UN-Migrationspakt +++". n-tv.de. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  60. [60]
    "Erste große Merz-Rede: »Anti-Merkel? Das ist dummes Zeug!". Bild.de. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  61. [61]
    "Der CDU würde ein homosexueller Vorsitzender gut zu Gesicht stehen". Archived from the original on 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  62. [62]
    "Openly gay politician Jens Spahn could succeed Angela Merkel as next Chancellor of Germany". Gay Times. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2018_Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany_leadership_election, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.